Windows 7: Dell 1545 Recovery failure - Parameter is incorrect

Hello all. I have a Dell 1545 running Win 7 Home Premium. I can't do a system recovery. I can't make recovery discs, none came with the computer, there is an easy-to-use function built into the hard drive, just do F8 at start-up. The only problem is, it isn't working. It goes through choosing the keyboard, warning that all data will be lost (which is the point), then gives a warning: The parameter is incorrect. I have a recovery partition, but I don't seem to be able to access it. I don't know a lot about computers, just sort of point-and-click, so when it doesn't work the way I expect it to, I'm lost. Any help would be appreciated.

It looks like the recovery partition is corrupt. You can either wipe your hard drive and reinstall Windows 7 OR call up Dell Tech Support and get the HDD replaced due to corrupt/bad recovery image.

How to use Dell Recovery Partition,make Recovery Disks & how to order Recovery Disks.
Dell - Support

Thanks. Talked to Dell. General consensus: bad HDD. They are sending me another one. It should be here in a couple of days. Thanks all.

Glad you got it sorted.